Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – CommBank Stadium

Season 2023 kicks off with a bit of a ripper, and if you wanted to pick the Storm without thinking too much about it I wouldn't blame you one bit. They haven't lost a round one game in more than 20 years, so it makes a lot of sense. For those that want to dig a little deeper, note that the Eels have beaten the Storm in their last four encounters, and their record at this venue is a record to envy. Forwards win games and both sides have had some significant changes to their packs. For the Eels, Mahoney (Bulldogs) and Papali'i (Tigers) have moved on and they aren't the only ones, while Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson won't be available on Thursday night. The Eels have gained Josh Hodgson, and if he can stay fit and well he could be one of the buys of the season. Now 33 years of age, he may have lost some of his dash, but James Roby is 37 and he just made the Panthers look average in the World Cup Challenge. The Storm engine room will look very different this year, with the Bromwich brothers and Kaufusi at the Dolphins, and Brandon Smith joining the Chooks. They recruited Tariq Sims to bolster the pack, but he won't be ready in time for Thursday. That said, the Storm have spent much of their history finding ways to replace the club greats when they depart. Someone will no doubt step up and do the job. Will Warbrook has impressed in the trials and will come into the seventeen with the injury to Dean Ieremia. Replacing Papenhuyzen is harder, and the date of his return to football keeps getting pushed back. He's a weapon, and their first-choice goal-kicker. I do hope he returns in fine fettle, as our game is a better game when he's playing. If he's back in the second half of the year the Storm are still a genuine premiership threat. Without him in round one, the Storm are an easier proposition, and the Eels often start seasons well.

Verdict – Eels by 4

Result – Storm by 4

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Sky Stadium, Wellington

It's been years since the Warriors could start their season in New Zealand, and it's a rare game in the nation's capital so they'll be up for this. They'll be without Reece Walsh (Broncos) this year, and he's possibly the most exciting young prospect in the game, so that hurts. They have replaced him with (potentially) two new fullbacks in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders) and Te Maire Martin (Broncos). Martin is a little more versatile and could play in the halves or off the bench as a utility. Big changes in the halves for the Knights, with Hastings (Tigers) and Gamble (Broncos) coming into the side. Bigger still is the decision to move Ponga into the halves this season. No doubt the new Warriors coach will plan to test Ponga and his front line defence early and often. The Knights often start the season well but their record in New Zealand is awful. I also expect they will rest Gagai for another week (he may not even travel across the ditch). New Zealand has had no shortage of challenges already this year, as the ground beneath them and the skies above them test their mettle. I expect the Warriors to step up and put a smile on a few dials at home.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result – Warriors by 8

Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Bluebet Stadium

Those predicting the demise of the Panthers empire are probably getting ahead of themselves a little bit. Granted, the loss of Koroisau (Tigers) and Kikau (Bulldogs) are significant losses, but 11 of their starting 13 won the grand final in 2022, and hardly anyone has beaten this team for years. Importantly, the key players in this squad still have their best years of football in front of them (Cleary - 25, Yeo - 28, Edwards - 27, Fisher-Harris - 27, Martin - 25, Leota - 27, To'o - 24, Luai - 26). I'm not sure they've peaked yet. Koroisau is virtually impossible to replace, but Soni Luke (who will start off the bench) is cut from the same cloth. They'll adjust, and they'll be more than competitive again this season. The Broncos were in the top four for much of last season until they fell away late. They'll give a good account of themselves at the foot of the mountains, but they'll be even better when Reece Walsh returns at fullback.

And to Nathan Cleary if he's reading this - please reconsider your 'ice in the veins' celebration thing you did during the World Cup Challenge. Surely you don't need me to tell you it's a bad look.

Verdict – Panthers by 6

Result – Broncos by 1

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

Two new coaches and two teams looking to improve their fortunes in season 2023. There's been plenty of focus on the Bulldogs, where Cameron Ciraldo and Phil Gould are hoping to bring some of their magical Penrith fairy dust and sprinkle it around Belmore. They have made a promising start, and the combination of Mahoney, Burton, Kikau and Addo-Carr is potentially the most potent attacking left edge in the game. That leaves two-thirds of the paddock to sort out, and that's a work in progress I suspect. Manly have impressed during the pre-season trials under their new coach Anthony Seibold, and pre-season Manly didn't include Tom Trbojevic who returns for his first game since May last year. The group appear to be on the same page after things imploded last season. In front of what should be a bumper crowd at Brookvale I expect the local lads to come out on top.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8

Result – Sea Eagles by 25

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

The Cowboys weren't far off a grand final appearance last year and the squad hasn't changed much since then. Gilbert, Lemuelu and the Hammer have moved to the Peninsula, while journeyman and all-round nice guy James Tamou returns for one more year with the club he won a premiership with in 2015. Just three other players from that grand final success are still lacing on the boots (Feldt, Granville and Taumalolo). The Raiders will bring a typically balanced squad to the tropics but the pre-season injury to Savage is the last thing they needed. With Nicoll-Klokstad now at the Warriors, Sebastian Kris takes on the role at the back. The afternoon kick-off ensures the weather will play a role in the outcome here. I expect the heat, humidity, and the Cowboys forwards to wear the Raiders down over the 80 minutes.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result – Cowboys by 1

Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – PointsBet Stadium

If Nicho Hynes were available I'd make this the match of the round. His absence means Braydon Trindall starts at halfback - he's no slouch but he's no Dally M medallist either. The battle of the forwards looks an even contest but that Rabbitohs backline looks awesome. Ilias will continue to improve and is on his way to being a top-line halfback. It doesn't hurt having a powerhouse forward pack in front of you and some attacking rockstars around you.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 7

Result – Rabbitohs by 9

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

It's a bit exciting to have a brand spanking new team in the NRL. The last 'new' team to join the NRL was the Gold Coast Titans in 2007, but the NRL has had a colourful history on the Gold Coast that pre-dates that. The last genuine expansion team into a new geography was the Melbourne Storm way back in 1998, and I think most people would call the inclusion of the Storm in the NRL an enormous success. The Dolphins have a lot going for them. They have a rich history in the game, more money than almost everyone, and access to new talent through northern Brisbane, the Moreton Bay corridor, and all the way up the coast to Rockhampton. While they are likely to struggle a little this season, they won't run last, and they will be a very successful club in the years to come. It brings a tear to my eye, knowing that the footy posts at Dolphin Oval, beneath which I was both conceived and born, are now a part of the NRL. Ms Thinker and I will be at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon. We'll go and give Big Artie a pat on the back and we'll settle down with a brew or two and take it all in. Those that think the Roosters will trot in are kidding themselves, but I do think the Roosters will win. History...this Sunday. Take it in kids.

Verdict – Roosters by 4....Rugby League by panels

Result – Dolphins by 10

Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

One thing is for certain - a team with Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall at the helm will be fun to watch. I don't think they're premiership contenders, but they're a vastly improved squad with the new recruits. The most important is clearly Koroisau, whose deceptive skills and consistent delivery have been a key contributor to the Panthers success in recent years. His inclusion, along with a bolstered forward pack, should see the Tigers halves combination of Doueihi and the much-maligned Brooks playing some decent football. So too, their talented fullback Daine Laurie, should have a better season this year too. The Titans will be better for the inclusion of Foran and Verrills in their spine. The combination of Verrills, Foran, Boyd and Brimson (with Campbell chiming in off the bench) will create plenty of headaches for plenty of clubs. Two sides that could both find themselves in the top eight this season with any luck. Worth watching this, and I'll pick the Tigers at home.

Verdict – Tigers by 4

Result – Titans by 12

Wally Lewis - round one selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• Eels vs STORM
• WARRIORS vs Knights
• PANTHERS vs Broncos
• SEA EAGLES vs Bulldogs
• COWBOYS vs Raiders
• Sharks vs RABBITOHS
• Dolphins vs ROOSTERS
• Tigers vs TITANS